Multiple-fuse box.



Patented May 20, I902.

J. D. LYTLE. MULTIPLE FUSE s'ux.

(Application filed Aug. 23, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

JAMES DAVID LYTLE, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO \V-ILLIAM G. GOODLING, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

MULTIPLE-FUSE BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,695, dated. May 20, 1902.

Application filed August 23,1901. Serial N- 72,9'75. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES DAVID LYTLE, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiple-Fuse Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in multiple-fuse boxes in which a plurality of fuses are provided, so that when one fuse burns out another fuse in the box may be quickly brought into position and the circuit at once restored.

The invention consists in certain constructions, arrangements, and combinations of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan View of the improved 2o multiple-fuse box with the lid swung back to show the interior of the box. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the fuse-box, taken on the median line. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through one end of the box, illustrating the fuse-carrying roller in end elevation and illustrating the bracket for one terminal broken out to better show the construction. Fig. i is a vertical transverse section taken approximately at the middle of the fuse-box. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the vent-block for a burned-out fuse.

Referring to the drawings, the letter a designates acylindrical inclosing chamber-or box supported on feet I), by which it is adapted to be fastened in proper position and provided with a hinged lid 0.

An axis or shaft d is journaled centrally in the two end walls a of the box a and is provided at one of its protruding ends with a knob d, by which it may be turned, and is also provided on said end with a ratchet-wheel d adapted to be engaged by a spring-pawl a secured on the adjacent end of the box. a.

A cylindrical roller 6 of insulating material 5 is mounted on the axis cl and is fixedly held thereon by means of a screw f, as indicated in Fig. 4, and said roller is provided on its periphery with a plurality of longitudinallyextending depressions g, in this instance four in number.

' A plurality of right-angle fuse-holding plates h have one leg rigidly attached to the vertical end walls of the roller 6 in alinement with the said peripheral depressions g and are each provided with a thumb-screw 1;, adapted to hold one end of a fuse-wirej, which fusewires extend through the depressions or grooves and from one end of the roller to the other end, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The other legs of said fuse-holding plates 7t extend directly out from the end Walls of the roller and surround but are spaced from the shaft (1, and a contact-plate it is removably secured by screws 7t" to the outwardly-extending leg of each fuse-holding plate 7t, so that when one of said contact-plates becomes worn it may be replaced by another.

Secured within the box a at each end thereof is a metallic casing Z, supported on blocks on and insulated therefrom by insulating- 7: strips m, as shown in'Fig. 3. Said casings are each provided with a binding-post Z for the circuit-wires n n and are also provided with sockets o, in each of which is slidably mounted a carbon terminal 13, pressed forwardly by a coil-spring p, as indicated in Fig. 3, into contact with two longitudinally-opposite concave contact-plates 70, as indicated in Fig. 1, whereby to close the circuit between the two circuit-wires n n.

One side of the box a, is provided with an opening q between and in alinement with the two terminals 19, and a vent-block 0', formed of lignum-vitze or other suitable insulating material, is fitted in said opening and is provided with a concave inner face 0", conforming to and in contact with the cylindrical peripheral wall of the roller 6, and is also provided with a longitudinal slot r opening outwardly on the outside of the box a, as indicat'ed in Fig. 4:.

When one of the fuse-wires j is in circuit, the slot 1' of said vent-block r is in registry therewith, so that should said fuse-wire burn out the smoke and flame accompanying the burning may easily escape to the atmosphere, and thereby protect the interior of the box and the other fuses. The interior wall of the box is insulated, preferably by an asbestos lining s.

In practice access is had to the interior of the box by the hinged lid 0. The several fusewires are secured longitudinally across the roller e, and the roller is then turned until one set of fuse-holding plates contacts with the carbon terminals 13, at which time the circuit is completed.

Now in case the fuse-wire j burns out the resulting flame will discharge through the open slot r of the vent-block r to the atmosphere, thereby preventing the flame from injuring the other fuses in the box. After one fuse has burned out the roller may be turned until the next set of fuse-plates comes in contact with the carbon terminals, and the fusewire carried thereby will then be placed in circuit.

In the present instance the cylindrical roller 8 is constructed in three sections-a middle section of soapstone and two end sections of slate; but it is manifest that this construction need not be stricly adhered to, and other changes also may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The herein-described m ultiple-t'use device, comprising a cylindrical box, (1,, provided at one side with an opening, q; a vent-block, r, fitted in said opening and provided with a concave inner face, 0"; a cylindrical roller mounted in said box and spaced from the end thereof, and whose circumference conforms to and contacts with said concave face, 1", and has a plurality of longitudinal depressions, g; substantially right-angle fuse-holding plates attached to the ends of said roller and provided with contact-legs projecting toward the ends of the box; fuse-wires held by said plates and extending through said depressions, g, whereby the concave inner face, 0*, and the surrounding walls of the respective depressions may separate one fusewire from the others; casings, Z, secured in said box on opposite sides of and in alinement with said vent-block; and carbon terminals mounted to slide in said casings and spring-pressed outwardly into engagement with one set of contact-legs at a time, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES DAVID LYTLE. \Vitnesses:

FREDERICK S. STITT, H. F. ll/IEYER, Jr. 

